The statistics for mental illness reveal a national crisis. One in four people lives with a mental illness, but fewer than half get treatment. Because treatment often consists of medication, some benefits, and perhaps housing, this still leaves most to live in isolation and desperation. Friends of The Castle fills this critical void in our community mental health care system.


Agency Mission:
The Mission of the Friends of the Castle, Inc.:
The Castle is a gathering place of trust and friendship which supports people with severe and persistent mental illness and disorders to achieve their highest level of competence and independence through peer support and social capital.

Agency Vision:
Dignity, health, and quality of life for all people with mental illness and disorders through trust and friendship in the greater community.


Peer Run Organization
Our Peer Run Model provides people with mental illness opportunities for friendship, peer support, skills education, guidance and improvement in daily living and career skills in a caring and safe environment. Here, members and staff work side-by-side to operate The Castle—the contributions of each member are needed and appreciated.

The tenets of the Friends of The Castle are:

• We are a community
• We are inclusive
• We are structured to end isolation through the building of social capital
• We are focused on wellness and recovery
• We are a resource for those who want to return to work or school.